Matchmakers Box Set: Matchmakers, Encore, Finding Hope (50 page)

Hope smiled. “You won a lottery.”

“Jackpot,” Carissa said, enveloping Hope in her arms. “But I don’t want you to hurt them.”

“I won’t. I just want to know whose blood runs in my veins. I just have to know.”

“Then do it. But, Hope…” She pulled back. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

He hadn’t specified a time to stop by the store, but with every shadow that had passed outside the window, Hope looked up, anticipating it would be Trevor.

The portrait was coming along. Having his deep, dark eyes staring back at her wasn’t helping the fact that she was desperately awaiting his arrival.

Finally, the door opened and Trevor walked through with a tray of drinks and a large brown paper bag with the word deli printed on it.

“We only discussed having coffee, but I thought since I was late enough, I would bring lunch too. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I think that’s wonderful. Let me help you,” she offered as she crossed the store to take the tray of coffees from him. “We can eat at the table in the back.”

She set the cardboard cups on the table and he set the bag next to them.

“Would you like to see your acquisition?” She laughed as she turned toward the canvas.

Trevor walked to the easel. He stopped and stared. The artist in her picked up the flash of emotion that glossed over his eyes.

“Oh, Hope. This is amazing.”

“Thank you.”

“When I give it to her I want you to be there.” He turned to her. “I want you to see her face when she looks at it for the first time.”

Hope swallowed back the lump in her throat. “That’s thoughtful, but…”

“No buts. She’s just going to flip.”

“C’mon, let’s eat. I want to talk to you, but I think I’m going to need a substantial amount of food in me to get through it.”

“You’re still hungry because you didn’t finish your dinner last night. In fact, I had it for breakfast this morning. You left it in the car.”

“I’m sorry,” she said snorting out a laugh. “How thoughtless of me.”

“We’ll let it slide.” He pulled her chair out for her and then sat down next to her at the small table, pushed up against the wall. “You’re feeling better I take it?”

Hope raised her shoulders and let them fall as she unwrapped the sandwich he’d brought her. She seriously was going to need the fuel to make it through the conversation.

“I’m fine. It’s just… well, I need to talk to you.”

A sliver of a smile crossed his lips as he laid his hand atop of hers. “I know I didn’t get you pregnant, I haven’t even touched you.” He laughed with a wink of his eye and Hope lightened up.

“Sorry to be so dramatic.” She pulled back and took a bite of her sandwich. “It’s just what I’m about to ask you has the potential to give me the world, or ruin it.”

“Well I’d be up for running off to Vegas and getting married too, but do you really think it would ruin you?” He smiled again and she laughed.

“I don’t remember you being such a comedian last night.”

“I had on my good manners. Now you’re seeing me.”

“I like it.”

He set his sandwich down and settled his eyes into hers. Hope watched as he moved slowly toward her. As he neared, she closed her eyes and felt the warmth of his lips gently brush hers. When she opened her eyes, he was right there.

“You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

“Wow. This isn’t how I thought this would go,” she admitted.

“Wasn’t on my agenda either, but I don’t mind detours.”

“Good, then back to what I needed to ask.”

“I’m all ears.”

Hope gathered her nerves. Carissa had given her a green light to ask him, but she knew her sister wasn’t excited about the venture. The fear that she might hurt her parents by pursuing her past made her nauseated. Her stomach churned and the rate of her heart kicked up, but she took a breath and began.

“Would you be interested in helping me find out about my birth parents?”

It was out. She’d posed the question. His dark eyes shot wide open and he almost choked on his lunch. Quickly, he’d sipped his coffee and stood. His reaction wasn’t what she’d expected.

He paced back and forth all the while her heart rate picked up speed. “You want to find your birth parents?”

She nodded.

“You said your birth mother was buried at the cemetery.”

“She is. But I don’t know any more than that. Well, not a lot more, and I have no idea who my birth father is.”

He scrubbed his hands over his face and Hope stood to face him. “Listen, if you don’t want to help me, I understand. I just thought, since this is what you do and all. It’s not like I’m asking for a favor. I’d pay you whatever your cost is. I just…”

“Hope.” He touched her arm and she calmed. “Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure you want to know about these people who gave you up?”

“He didn’t give me up, she did. And don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the family I have. I just want to know who they were.”

He nodded. “Okay. Let me see what I can find, and we’ll start there.”

“Oh, Trevor, thank you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I appreciate this so much.”

He held her back just far enough that she could see his face clearly.

“Prepare yourself. It could be long journey and one you may not be ready for.”

“I’m ready. Thank you. Thank you.” She kissed him on the cheek.

Trevor’d hoped to spend more of the day with Hope, but after she’d asked for his help, he couldn’t sit so close to her. He felt as though he was betraying her, but how could he be? He had been sent there to do a job, and he’d done his job. He’d found Mandy Marlow and he’d found her daughter. The only problem was, he was sure he was falling for Hope and that wasn’t going to help. He needed to get in touch with Donald Buchanan as soon as possible. Hope wanted to meet her birth father and Trevor knew where to find him. And where did that leave him? As soon as Hope found out he’d been following her, she was surely not going to trust him anymore. Why would she? He was a paid stalker. God, what if she found out about the money Donald Buchanan had sent him to spend on her?

Trevor paced his hotel room, running his fingers over his hair. He was a fraud and should be in jail! Which was what he figured would happen as soon as David Kendal found out what he’d done.

“What a mess you’re in.” He scolded himself in the mirror on the dresser. “This is not going to work.”

His cell phone buzzed on the table. He scooped it to his ear. “Jacobs here.”

“Mr. Jacobs, it’s Donald Buchanan. I wanted to make sure you received the package I sent for you.”

He tossed a glance toward the bed where the envelope still sat, and a tingle ran through him. “Yes, sir, I did.”

“Good. Please use it on her and make her happy. I want her to be happy.”

“Yes, sir.” Trevor gathered his thoughts and cleared his throat. “Sir, I was just wondering, are you considering a meeting with your daughter anytime soon?”

“Not yet. My wife knows I’m up to something. I can’t let her know about Hope.” That was pretty typical of a parent seeking an illegitimate child. Buchanan drew in a sharp breath. “Perhaps this isn’t the nicest thing to say about my own wife, but… I fear for Hope’s safety should my wife find out about her.”

“Then why did you send me here?” Anger rose in his voice. The feeling of caretaker and protector had again taken over.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Sir, with all due respect, why find her if you are afraid your wife would harm her? Why would you put her in danger?”

“Perhaps you’ve forgotten your place, Mr. Jacobs. You were paid to find her.”

“And now I’m being paid to get to know her, remember.”

“Of course. That doesn’t mean you should get emotionally invested in her.”

“Well, I’d say that’s too late.” He shook his head and cursed himself silently for saying that.

“Mr. Jacobs, is there something going on between you and my daughter?”

“No, sir. We are becoming friends.” He left it at that.

“Well then, I know you will take good care of her. I won’t hold off much longer. My wife will be leaving the country to vacation with her sister soon. I think that would be the best opportunity for us to meet.”

“As long as you feel it’s safe.” He was very glad he hadn’t given Donald Buchanan more information on Hope. But then again, it wouldn’t have been too hard for him to find either.

“Yes, I believe it will be. Thank you, Mr. Jacobs, we will talk soon.”

The line went dead.

Trevor fell back onto the bed. He thought about what Hope had asked him to do. She wanted to find out about her parents. It was doable and she deserved that much. They’d start with Mandy. They could build on that and then… Then, depending on what Donald Buchanan wanted to do, he’d steer her toward him. However, if Donald Buchanan thought Trevor would get careless enough to let his wife get her hands on Hope, he was wrong. Trevor was going to protect her. He’d never run a case like this before, never gotten so personal, and he’d never felt like he did for anyone before he met Hope. She’d been the woman of his dreams. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.

Hope opened the store. She hadn’t seen Trevor in two days. Her heart ached. Perhaps he wasn’t who she thought he was. She’d asked for his help. He’d panicked and now he’d disappeared.

She stared at his face on the canvas. The dark eyes that had her blood pumping so swiftly stared up at her. She’d seen his face before, she was sure of it. He’d been there when she slept, in her dreams. This was the face she’d become so familiar with.

The painting would only need a few more brushstrokes and it would be finished.

“You back there?” Thomas’s voice rang through the store, though it was still early in the day.

“Yes.”

He poked his head around the wall and smiled. “You’ve been kinda quiet the past few days. I just thought I’d check in. I have orchestra practice in a few minutes so I’ll be tied up.”

“Is this beginning orchestra?” She scrunched up her nose.

“Yes, and when you hear flat notes, know I’ve sent those to you special.”

She laughed. She deserved that. “I’ve been warned.”

“I haven’t seen Trevor around.”

She nodded. She’d known he had a reason for stopping by. “No. I asked him to help me find out about my parents, and I haven’t seen him since.”

Thomas nodded. She knew Carissa wouldn’t have kept it a secret. “Maybe he’s investigating.”

“Maybe.”

The bell on the door chimed, and Thomas turned to see who had walked through the door. “Speak of the devil.”

Hope’s mouth went dry and her stomach tightened. She wiped her hands on the rag that hung from the easel and walked past Thomas.

“Hi.” Her voice was light.

“Sorry I haven’t called. I had some business to take care of. But I brought you this.” He handed her a manila envelope.

Her eyes didn’t leave his as he handed it to her.

Thomas cleared his throat. “Well, I have to go make music. Trevor, it was nice to see you again.” He turned to walk back through the store.

“Mr. Samuel, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” Trevor straightened his posture.

“It’s Thomas.” Trevor nodded. Thomas turned back to Hope. “I’ll send Carissa over when she gets time.”

“I’ll see her soon, then.”

Thomas kissed her on the cheek and headed out the door.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that in front of him,” Trevor apologized.

She only shook her head. Words weren’t coming to her. She could only imagine what was in the envelope, but even more, she’d missed him. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’d love a bottle of water if you have one.”

Hope walked to the back room. She opened the little refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. When she turned to hand it to him, she found he was in front of the painting.

“This is amazing.”

“Thank you.”

“It gets better every time I see it.”

“Here.” She handed him the bottle.

“Thanks.” Their eyes met briefly, and then his shifted back to the painting.

“End of August. Can you go with me?”

Hope laughed. “I’m sorry. What’s the end of August?”

“Mom’s birthday. I want to give this to her and I still want you there.”

“Oh.” Hope turned, but he caught her arm.

“I know you’re upset because I disappeared for a few days.”

“Why should I be upset? We had a few meals together, that’s all. You’re commissioning me to paint you, and I’ve offered to commission you to find some information. I guess you’ve done your part.” She motioned toward the envelope with her hand. “And I’ve done mine.” She gave a nod to the painting.

“I think you know there is more here,” he said, and she could feel tears stinging her eyes.

“Do you think so?”

“Hope.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I want there to be.”

Her mouth dropped open and she gave a gasp, but then his mouth found hers. Her body swayed toward him as his lips parted and his tongue sought hers. There wasn’t time to dissect what she was doing. She knew what it was. She was falling for a man she’d only met, and she couldn’t seem to help herself. But then again, it was only physically that they’d just met. In her dreams, she’d known him much longer.

Hope raised her arms around his neck as Trevor slid his hands down her sides. Her head spun with the delight of his lips. Her heart raced. Her body tingled as he touched her ever so lightly.

Trevor pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t even talk to me today.”

“I missed you,” she said honestly.

“I missed you too.”

They stood silent, letting the moment wash over them.

“C’mon. Let’s sit down and look at what I brought you.” He stepped back and pulled the chair out for her.

Hope nodded, but her entire body stiffened. She’d said she could handle everything that she found out. Now was the real test. Could she indeed handle it?

She sat and so did Trevor. He slid the envelope toward her and moved his chair closer.

Her fingers trembled as she lifted the flap and pulled out the contents.